Underground conduit for electric wires



(No Model.)

0. H. GOEBEL.

UNDERGROUND GONDUIT FOR ELECTRIC WIRES. No. 290,414.

Patented Dec. 18, 1883.

INVENTOR:

WITNESSES:

ATTORNEY.

N. FETER$ Phohylithognphun W=minmm 04C.

UNITED STATES PATENT @rrrce.

CHEISTIAh H. GOEBEL, OF PHILADELPHIA, PA., ASSIGXOR TO THE AMERICAN SECTIOrTAL ELECTRIC UNDERGROUND COMPANY, OF NEIV JERSEY.

UNDERGROUND CONDUlT FOR ELECTRIC WIRES.

.zIEIIFICA'IION forming part of Letters Patent No. 290,414, dated December 18, 1883.

(No model.)

50 al /Z whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHRISTIAN H. GonnnL, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Underground Conduits for Electric XVires, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a top or plan view of the conduit embodying my invention. Fl 2 is a longitudinal section thereof. Fig. 3 is a transverse section of a portion in line m 00, Fig. 1. Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are views of modifications thereof. Fig. 7 is a top or plan view of the conduit. Fig. Sis alongitudinal vertical section thereof. Fig. 9 is a transverse vertical section thereof. Fig. 9" is an enlarged view of portion of Fig. 9. Fig. 10 is a sectional view, enlarged, of a circuit forming and breaking device adapted to be operated from the surface of the ground. Fig. 11 is a view of a detached portion of Fig. 8. Fig. 12 is a horizontalsection thereof in line y y, Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a view enlarged of portions of a side of the con duit. Fig. 14: is a horizontal section thereof.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

My invention consists of improvements in underground conduits for electric wires,which will be hereinafter fully set forth, and definitely claimed.

Referring to the drawings, A represents an underground conduit formed of slabs a, of slate, stone, iron, or other suitable material, the base, sides, and top piece, of which are separate pieces, which may be readily set up and securely connected.

B represents posts or standards which are secured to the side pieces of the conduit, and provided with the hooks I), on which are sustained the pipes C, through which the wires E are passed, said standards having openings (1 at coincident places, into which are introduced the pipes or branches C for making connections of the wires in the pipes C with those required above the surface. The conduit A,

being constructed of slabs or pieces of slate, stone, iron, &c., forms a tube in which numerous wire-containing pipes may be laid or sustained independent of each other, its interior being dry and readily permitting the entrance and passage of persons whose work requires it. The hooks I) are formed of horizontal parts or shanks I), which are secured to the sides or posts of the conduits, and vertical parts or limbs b, the lower ends of which have openings or are of the form of bosses and fitted on the shanks Z). By this construction the limbs b may be moved on the shanks, and thus adjusted nearer to or farther from the sides of the conduits, and more than one of such limbs may be placed on each shank and adjusted relatively to each other for differentsized wires or cables or numbers thereof. (See Fig. 9.)

As the conduit is formed of slabs of material, the posts may occupy such position at the joints of the slabs as to be necessarily formed of separated pieces. For this purpose the conduit and pieces are perforated at coincident places, and through the perforations are passed a forked piece, D, (see Figs. 11 and 12,) the forks of each piece having on their inner ends openings which receive a wedge or key, B, which, tightening against the post, serves to connect the sections thereof and securely attach it to the conduit.

The pipes C are split in their longitudinal direction, and within each of them is fitted a covered wire, E, which is readily applied in position, first by separating the sections, and next laying said wire in the pipe between the separated sections, after which I encircle the pipe witha screw-clamp, F, of less diameter than the pipe when separated, so that when the screw F of the clamp is ti ghtencd the clamp closes the pipe, thus inclosing the wire. This feature is especially serviceable for a covered wire whose diameter is greater than that of the pipe prior to splitting or separation, the covering being preferably rubber or gutta-percha, in whichcase the pipe is compressed against the covered wire, and the latter entirely fills the space of the pipe, the covering hugging the wire at every point of its surface, whereby the insulation of the wire is perfect. Furthermore, the wire is securely held within the pipe, in which condition the pipes may be trans p orted and handled without danger of displace ment of the wire or abrasion of the insulation.

In order to afford access to the wires in the pipes O at the places where the branches 0 are connected, I employ Ts or branches 0, which are split or separated, so that one section may be removed, thus exposing the insulating-covering of the wire, or for purposesof change of direction of the wire to the right or left the Ts may be employed and lateral connections formed with the main length of wire, said connections being readily fitted in position after removing one section of the T, after which said section is restored and screwed or clamp ed to the other part.

In Fig. 4 I show a double branch or bend, which is adapted for the loop or wire introduced into houses, 850., the continuity of the line being preserved by said loop, as well known. In this case the branch or bend is split and the sections are clamped together, the advantages being the same as those stated for the Ts O. The lengths of pipes O are connected by union-couplin gs G, each of which is swiveled to the end of one pipe and engages with a screw-collar on the adjacent pipe, thus securely connecting the pipes.

In order to control the passage of electric currents to the house, sidewalk, and other localities, the connection of the branch 0 and pipe 0 leading to said locality is broken, as at e, Fig.10; or the wires of the branches 0 0' are connected with opposite sides of a box, H. A rotatableinsulated plug, J, adapted to be operated from the surface of the ground, is fitted to said box H and carries a bar or wire, K, which in one position of the plug connects the ends of the wires of the pipes G O, and in the other position is disconnected from said ends, these operations forming and breaking the electric circuit being accomplished simply by turning the plug J, the supply of electricity being thereby let on or cut off or controlled. The sides of the conduit have circular openings L, the wall of each of which is notched or slotted, as at f, and the inner face or back of the side has inclined pieces L circumscribing the wall. A plate, M, is provided for covering said opening, the same having projecting from its periphery lugs N, which are adapted to enter the notches f. When the lugs N are fitted in the notches f and the plate rotated, the lugs rideon the inclined pieces L and clear the notches, thus tightening and locking the plate in position and fully closing the side opening of the conduit. \Vhen access is required to the conduit from the side, the plate M is rotated until the lugs N register with the notches f, whereby the plate may be removed and the opening of the conduit is uncovered.

The improvement relating to the cable or conductor and means for making and breaking the circuit will form the subject-matter of another application for Letters Patent.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. An underground conduit for electric wires, having a tube formed of separate slabs a, of slate, stone, iron, &c., posts attached to, the sides thereof, and hooks fixed to said posts,

said hooks being constructed of adjustable parts b b, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The conduit and post, in combination with the forked piece D and key B, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

CHRISTIAN H. GOEBEL.

Vitn esses:

JOHN A. WIEDERsHmM, W. F. KIROHER. 

